By: Jacob Moss
The Carolina Hurricanes enter game four of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Florida Panthers with their backs against the wall. After losing the first two games of the series in overtime, game three only required three periods as the Hurricanes fell to the Panthers 1-0 on Monday.
Losing game three has put the Hurricanes in a perilous situation, as no team has ever overcome a 3-0 deficit in the conference finals in NHL history. If the Hurricanes wish to make NHL history, they will have to start tonight by taking game four on enemy ice in South Florida.
Gameday ��
— Carolina Hurricanes (@Canes) May 24, 2023
�� Florida
�� 8 p.m.
�� @NHL_On_TNT
�� @999TheFan #NeverCompromise
Preview » https://t.co/yv9ywlWrrb pic.twitter.com/gDDG1hnFn1
Despite the series deficit, the Hurricanes have been playing extremely competitive hockey. In the game one 4OT loss, the Hurricanes outshot the Panthers, won more faceoffs, blocked more shots, and had twice as many power play opportunities.
Embed from Getty ImagesGames two and three were a similar story as the Canes again outshot, out blocked, and had the edge in faceoffs against the Panthers in both contests. The Canes have been playing winning hockey all series long, but as we have seen simply playing winning hockey doesn’t always equate to winning hockey games.
On to Game 3 pic.twitter.com/2M7BeL2Sdy
— Carolina Hurricanes (@Canes) May 21, 2023
Regardless of how frustrating the last three games may have been for the Canes; they have little time to dwell on the past as elimination stares them directly in the face. Carolina will have to find ways to improve in the margins if they want to keep their post season alive.
One area the Canes can stand to improve is on the power play. Thus far this series Carolina has converted on just two of twelve possible power play opportunities. If the Canes are looking for any glaring areas in need of improvement, the lack of power play success is a prime candidate.
Stefan Noesen cashes in on the beautiful power play setup, knotting it up at 2 for the Hurricanes!#LetsGoCanes pic.twitter.com/zYb5MKF7ky
— Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights (@HockeyDaily365) May 19, 2023
The Canes will also have to find a way to bring Panther’s goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky back down to earth. After conceding two goals in game one, Bobrovsky has elevated his play allowing just one Carolina goal in the past two games.
Despite his recent success however, Bobrovsky has shown to be a liability in the net at times for the Panthers and even lost his starting spot for a spell earlier in the season. The Canes will have to find a way to pressure Bobrovsky consistently if they hope to stave off elimination and bring the series back to Raleigh for a game five.
